Insights from the UKHSA's FluSurvey highlight the impact of flu-like illness on daily life, showing that almost half of those affected in work or education missed time. The data, gathered from over 68,000 weekly symptom surveys across two full winter seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25), indicates that 47% of individuals reporting flu-like symptoms missed work or school.
The findings also reveal that most participants experienced disruption to their daily lives, primarily managing their symptoms at home. A smaller proportion, 14%, sought assistance from a GP or other healthcare service.
Dr. Becki Green, Principal Scientist for Respiratory Viruses at UKHSA, stated that these findings demonstrate the significant impact of flu-like illnesses. She emphasised the importance of flu vaccination not only to protect against serious illness but also to reduce the wider disruption caused annually to workplaces, the economy, and education.
Dr. Jamie Lopez-Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, noted that current flu and COVID-19 levels are low, but stressed that vaccination remains the best defence. He advised eligible individuals to book their free NHS flu, COVID-19, or RSV vaccine, and for children to receive their nose spray flu vaccine as soon as possible before viruses circulate more widely this winter.